India claims two troops killed by Pakistan over Kashmir border

Two Indian troops have been killed, one of whom was 'mutilated', in a gunfight
with Pakistan forces on Indian-controlled territory close to the line of
control which marks the unofficial border between the two states.

India denied crossing the border, saying it had retaliated with small arms fire after Pakistani mortars hit village homesPhoto: AFP

By Dean Nelson, New Delhi

2:37PM GMT 08 Jan 2013

Army sources told Indian reporters that the soldier was decapitated and his head taken away by retreating Pakistani troops. A spokesman for the Pakistan Army has denied its forces launched an 'unprovoked' attack.

The escalation in tensions between the nuclear neighbours has emerged amid improving political relations - Pakistan's last month sent its first cricket tour to India since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, while its interior minister Rehman Malik visited New Delhi to unveil a new liberalised visa regime to encourage greater 'people to people contact.'

But there has been an increase in cross-border skirmishes in recent weeks between the two armies over the 'Line of Control' which separates Indian from Pakistan-held Kashmir.

According to Indian Army officials Pakistan Army troops launched a raid inside Indian territory in what they said marked a serious escalation in the recent series of breaches of the ceasefire between the two countries.

According to the Indian Army, Pakistan troops were engaged in gunfire after they were spotted in thick fog in Indian-held territory on its side of the Line of Control today.

"In a significant escalation to the continuing series of Cease Fire Violations and infiltration attempts supported by Pakistan Army, a group of their regular soldiers intruded across the Line of Control in the Mendhar Sect on 08 Jan 2013. Pakistan army troops, having taken advantage of thick fog and mist in the forested area, were moving towards [their] own posts when an alert area domination patrol spotted and engaged the intruders.

"The fire fight between Pak and [our] own troops continued for approximately half an hour after which the intruders retreated back towards their side of Line of Control. Two soldiers Lance Naik Hemraj and Lance Nail Sudhakar Singh laid down their lives while fighting the Pak troops. This is yet another grave provocation by Pak Army which is being taken up sternly through official channels," an army spokesman said.

A Pakistan Army spokesman told Reuters news agency that "Pakistan military officials deny Indian allegation of unprovoked firing."